Data Security and Your Small Business: What You Need To Know ...

It is easy to fall into the wrong idea that you already have enough safeguards in position to protect your small business. You almost certainly stay up to date with the latest antivirus software, but is that adequate? You also probably feel that since you?re not a huge corporation, you don?t have to worry about cyber criminals hacking into your system. But here?s the unfortunate reality: cyber criminals have upped their game and are beginning to target small businesses increasingly more. Let?s take a closer look to? give you a better understanding of the level of danger your business may be under.

Small firms: low-hanging fruit

The truth is, hackers have found that small businesses are easier targets, and therefore are increasingly preying upon them. They can infiltrate their systems at a much faster rate, and with a better percentage of success as well. This means a cyber criminal can invade multiple targets in the time it would take them to lay siege to a better-guarded system with a higher level of data security. How can it be worth their while to steal from a mom and pop business? In today?s modern world, just about any business employs digital payment processing methods. Whenever your customers pay using a credit card, this data must run through your system to be verified. This represents a goldmine of data for hackers, as they can lift this data without being detected. With your customers? credit card numbers, addresses and names, they are able to make fraudulent charges on their accounts.

How hackers gain access to your data

Even though you most likely have systems in position to defend your data, hackers will make use of multiple points of entry, so firewalls alone may not be enough. Malicious email attachments are one of the biggest offenders. These attachments can leave your system wide open for data mining. This year alone in the first quarter, 6 million malware programs were discovered. Apart from these more high-tech tactics, cyber criminals also use low-tech methods to steal information. Telephone calls or even personal visits by someone posing as a network administrator or security firm can be damaging. We all hope our workers are smart enough not to be seduced by an apparent phishing scam, but it only takes one slip up to open yourself up for attack.

The buck stops with you

If you feel that maintaining data security is not necessary, take into account that should your systems be breached, your customers will in all probability hold you personally responsible for any stolen data or property. These kind of events cost companies thousands of dollars every year and can damage a company?s name so badly? that they have to close their doors permanently.

An ounce of prevention?

So, in relation to your data security, taking additional precautions is a prudent move. Not only should you update your programs whenever possible, take a look at strengthening your passwords as well. Don?t use obvious phrases, and never leave the default password in place. Also, advise your employees not to give out their login information or open attachments from unfamiliar senders when checking their email. You can also hire an outside consultant to guarantee the security of your customers? data. Taking these types of measures can give you piece of mind, knowing that your systems are safe from attack.

Source: http://blog.infoexchangeja.com/2012/data-security-and-your-small-business-what-you-need-to-know/

bloomberg tv bloomberg tv david koch the state republican presidential candidates republican presidential candidates bet hip hop awards 2011